Numerical simulation on the effect of current intensity on electrical contact performance of electrical connectors subject to micro-slip wear

Abstract

This article aims to develop a wear simulation method considering thermal-electrical- mechanical coupling to obtain the evolutions of contact variables and electrical resistance. Then, the influence mechanism of current intensity on the electrical contact performance subject to micro-slip wear is revealed. The maximum wear depth exhibits an increasing and then decreasing trend with the electric current, and the wear profile shows a W-shape at the start and then evolves into a U-shape under 15 A/mm. Meanwhile, a greater contact half-width is observed under a larger current condition to maintain a stable and low electrical resistance. Furthermore, experimental results are obtained confirming the potential of this numerical approach to simulate the wear of electrical contact.